Overview & Reviews

In business for more than 100 years, Audi is an automaker that builds luxury cars and SUVs. The company was started in Germany and has remained Deutschland-based to this day.

"Audi Automobile Works" entered the German car-manufacturing business in 1910 and remained independent until the Great Depression. Because Audi's founder, August Horch, had left a 10-year-old company bearing his own name, he chose a Latin form of his name -- Audi -- for his new company. Audi joined with three other auto manufacturers in 1932 to form Auto Union. Audi, the only surviving nameplate from that union, was purchased by Volkswagen in 1964.

During the 1970s, Audi started to get noticed in the U.S. with its 100LS luxury sedan and compact and sprightly Fox coupe and sedan. By the late '70s the brand had replaced the dated 100LS with its new 5000 luxury sedan.

Every manufacturer has its defining moments. For Audi, one such moment came in March 1980 at the Geneva Motor Show. The automaker unveiled the Audi Quattro, an all-wheel-drive sport coupe that was met with a wildly enthusiastic response on the show floor. The Quattro's all-wheel-drive system went on to help Audi win accolades in motorsports and it was eventually integrated into the entire model range.

That year also saw the Fox replaced by the 4000. Four years later, the range-topping 5000 was redesigned. Audi's sales shot up nearly 50 percent, thanks chiefly to that newly aerodynamic yet handsome flagship that featured what would become an Audi hallmark -- an elegantly stylish, high-quality cabin.

Sadly, Audi's fortunes turned for the worse when the carmaker's 5000 model was accused of unintended acceleration in a 60 Minutes television episode. A subsequent government investigation found Audi innocent of the charge, but the resulting drop in sales nearly put Audi out of business in the U.S.

The late '80s saw Audi redesign the 4000, renaming it the 80 and 90 (with the 90 having more equipment) and also rename the 5000, dubbing it the 100 or 200. The 200 featured a turbocharged five-cylinder with all-wheel drive as opposed to a non-turbo five and front-wheel drive, as on the 100. A Coupe also debuted, as did a new flagship, a V8-powered 200 sedan simply called the "V8".

The following decade saw the A4 and Cabriolet models, as well as the renaming of the 100 to A6. The stunning A8 was introduced as Audi's new flagship, boasting all-aluminum construction and a beefy V8. High-performance versions of the various models bowed, dubbed S4, S6 and S8.

The start of the new millennium brought the TT, Audi's low-slung sport coupe (and later roadster). It also introduced RS versions of the A4 and A6, providing even more performance than "S" variants. In addition to "S" and "RS" versions of the TT, Audi's more recent releases include the A3 hatchback, Q5 crossover SUV, slick A5 coupe, exotic R8 sports car and A7 luxury hatchback sedan.

Today, Audi continues its success in the prestige car marketplace by offering a wide range of vehicles that impressively combine luxury and sport.

User Reviews:

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  A Great Auto - 2001 Audi S4
  By magik - February 20 - 2:00 am

  5.5 sec to 60mph the 04 S4 with 340hp is only 0.1-0.2 sec faster and has a very harsh ride but a little better handling and shifter (but at a $50K price). Winter requires snow tires. Large trunk and full-size spare tire. Owners manual calls for 0w-30 or 5w-30 oil the local dealer only carries 10w-30 so I have to bring my own oil in. Only reliability problem was a seat heater needing replacement at 49K. Nice Bose needs bass help the Avant has a subwoofer. Touchy brakes stop quickly. Ive averaged 24.4mpg since 3/01 - trip computer exaggerates mpg by 10%. I track every fill-up. Over one 10K stretch, the trip computer overstated the actual by 2.4 mpg

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  The Best Wagon I have ever owned - 2002 Audi A4
  By I love my Avant - February 20 - 2:00 am

  After driving a Subaru for 6 years, the Audi Avant 3.0 is a dream. and the price differential of the two is not so big anymore and the folks at Audi Of Nashua are outstanding. Everyone is friendly and helpful. But lets get to the car. Styling is superb - in and out. Performance of the 3.0 is superb. I love the way the car drives, passes, and handles the curvy roads. Room isnt bad for storing your bike or 4 Ski Bags. If I needed more room, I would have gone with the A-6. Whats not to like

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  Happy Wagoner - 2004 Audi A4
  By rbenj - February 19 - 10:00 am

  Wanted a versatile do-it-all vehicle (be fun, sporty, stylish, and practical (cargo and winter). Love the design and features (though maybe not the complexity and weight); still undecided about the suspension tuning. I endlessly debated the Sport Package but the stock ride is as firm as I want day-to-day on bad roads, and only in certain situations have I wished that things were more pulled-together. (I think better AWD driving technique would help!) The Avant?s position in space is hard to judge now, but I?m sure I?ll adjust to the dimensions and sightlines over time. 2200 miles/6 months on the car, no problems and no rattles/squeaks.

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  AWD ultimate sports sedan - 2004 Audi A8
  By pkn - February 19 - 2:00 am

  excellent power and handling. great interior ergonomics. solid seating with good support and confort. great AWD.

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  After two years... - 2002 Audi A4
  By G.M., Virginia - February 19 - 2:00 am

  I ordered my A4 Avant with the Sport Suspension and Summer Performance Tires without being able to test drive one set up that way. What a hoot! The car tracks like its on rails! To the person who complained that the Sport Suspension wasnt a "luxury" ride... DUH! If you want a luxury ride you dont order a Sport Suspension. The Audi A4 Avant handles as well as my wifes BMW (maybe better) and is plenty fast (especially using the tiptronic... which I personally like better than a manual). The car has been 100% reliable and, in my opinion, is one of the best looking cars on the road. Whats not to love?

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  Balanced - 2003 Audi A6
  By SD Audi Owner - February 17 - 2:00 am

  This car does it all: performance,comfort,styling,and price. Throw in Audis workmanship with class- leading fit and finish and you have perfect balance. Note: my driving experience significantly improved after the break in period. The engine, shifter, and suspension seem more in sync after a couple thousand miles.

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  Great Four Season Sports Coupe - 2004 Audi TT
  By TTer - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Great fun car. Able to go anywhere any season. Quattro is great in the snow (with Blizzaks). Comfortable for 6+ footer, unlike most sporty cars. Good luggage space for size. I easily fit two sets of golf clubs. Excellent power and handling. Although others may excel at the track, as an everyday driver, this car is superb.

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  the best - 2004 Audi TT
  By john benson - February 16 - 2:00 am

  i have purchased this audi as a used vehicle with 3000 miles on it. it is an 02 and i find it to be fun to drive and very stylish. i am 63, 250 lbs. and this was one of few sports cars that i could fit into. the other sports car was a corvette. its handling and performance is far superior than a normal driving car.

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  Awesome Fun - 2003 Audi A6
  By Speno - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. Anyone considering a BMW, Jag, Acura or Lexus definately needs to step up in quality and experience an Audi for less money. The quality of the interior in design and materials in unparalleled in the car business. The power of the 2.7 is so much fun its scary. I have driven everything out there and nothing compares to Audi for the Money. BMW is the only one close. Lexus is not even in the same ballpark.

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  What a Great Car! - 2003 Audi A4
  By FunGuy90814 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car Ive owned, to date. I ordered an Audi A-4 1.8T Quattro with manual transmission from Germany and it was delivered at the end of May 2002. I havent had one problem with this car, not one. The build quality is superb. It handles like a dream (the Quattro is amazing!) and even the gas mileage is excellent. Ive never been happier with a new car. The fact that Audi provides a complete warranty package for the first 4 years or 40,000 miles (which includes oil changes and wiper blades!!!) says something for the way Audi builds quality into their cars.